What defines a pro skier

At least for me the line between pro and am skiers is very fine. What qualifies a skier to be pro, is it competition results, sponsors, money? If I would have to define what makes a skier pro I would say being respected and recognized throughout the freeski community.

A professional skier is someone who makes enough money to support a living without any sort of side job. You'd be surprised how many of your favorite "pros" get summer jobs to support their skiing careers.

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The definition by the IOC or other sporting bodies seems to be whether the person is rewarded monetarily for performing in the sport, this would be regardless of whether they are making enough money to support themselves or not.

So any skiers on a payroll would be pros. If they're just getting merchandise then that wouldn't qualify them.

I don't know where competition winnings fit in with this, but I'm guessing they're unrelated. Not what you'd consider a payroll.

its all about your PSIA ranking!!!
but really, any professional athlete has an agent and a professional trainer.... they are independent contractors that make money off of performance x publicity. they aren't begging for money because their agent has marketed them properly, got them in the events they can do well in , and get exposure for their sponsors... within freestlye skiing, this circle is tiny. most skiers are coaches or have side jobs as noted, even snowboarding you see alot more careers for a range of styles.

eheathA professional skier is someone who makes enough money to support a living without any sort of side job. You'd be surprised how many of your favorite "pros" get summer jobs to support their skiing careers.

I think it may be important to look at what defines an amateur skier. It comes from french and translates to "lover of" (skiing): someone is an amateur if the reason they ski and do everything they do is for their love of the sport.

"Maybe youll catch me on the slopes. Ill be the dude rocking twin tip, center mounted park skis and steezy tall hoodies all the while struggling to land that basic jib across the flat box but LOVING every second of it. Every yardsale, even snow face wash, ill come up with a smile on my face." - rbean24